Rules of Debate - Order and Decorum / Miscellaneous

Member may only speak once to the same motion

Debates pp. 4736-7

Background

During report stage consideration of Bill C-9, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act, Mr. Miller (Nanaimo—Alberni) moved the adjournment of the House. This was ruled out of order by the Acting Speaker (Mr. Herbert) as there was a Special Order in effect governing the hours of sitting of the House. The Acting Speaker then recognized another Member on debate. Later in the debate Mr. Miller rose on a point of order. He pointed out that after the Acting Speaker had ruled his motion out of order he had sought to be recognized for debate and had not been seen by the Chair. The Acting Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Is a Member who proposes a dilatory motion which is ruled out of order considered to have spoken to the question before the House?

Decision

Yes. The Member is considered to have spoken on the question and cannot be recognized a second time.

Reasons given by the Acting Speaker

Standing Order 41 states that no Member, unless otherwise provided by Standing or Special Order, may speak twice to a question. Rising to propose a motion not acceptable to the Chair means the Member has spoken to the question.

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Sources cited

Standing Order 41.

References

Debates, June 18, 1984, p. 4732.